Photos by David Hegler, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00
Tacoma Stadium Bowl 111 N E St Tacoma, WA 98403
Year Opened: 1910 Capacity: 17,000
Welcome to Tacoma Stadium
On the banks of Commencement Bay rests a curious-looking football stadium appropriately named the Tacoma Stadium Bowl. Lying in a gulch just under Stadium High School (commonly known as “the Brown Castle”), it has become a beacon for the small community of the Stadium-Seminary Historic District that has truly put the town of 8,600 on the map. It has been listed by such media entities as Maxpreps and ESPN as being one of the very best high school football stadiums in America.
Since it first opened in 1910, the Tacoma Stadium Bowl has hosted many historical luminaries such as Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Warren G. Harding, as well as William Jennings Bryan and Babe Ruth. It’s even been in its share of movies, having appeared in Heath Ledger’s 10 Things I Hate About You.
Of course, it has also had its share of misadventures over the past 115 years. But through floods (1932, 1981, and 2014) and earthquakes (1949 and 1965), the citizens have yet to give up on their landmarks. Having originally opened for 32,000 spectators, a major renovation in 1980 brought new concrete seating and eliminated all of the end zone seats. Now, the stadium can seat as many as 17,000, with the view of Puget Sound just as beautiful as the day that it first opened 114 years ago.
The Tacoma High School Tigers football team, members of the North Puget Sound League, play their home games at this historic venue.
Food & Beverage 1
Since this was Homecoming, the school provided a couple of food trucks. Aside from that, their concessions offer the least amount of food that I’ve ever seen. Just candy, popcorn, and drinks.
Atmosphere 2
With a population of over 220,000, Tacoma is not a small town. Yet somehow, the Stadium-Seminary Historic District surrounding Tacoma Stadium High School has carved out their little niche, giving them a small-town vibe so critical to the atmosphere of high school football.
But with a stadium that can seat 17,000, the community doesn't even fill half the home bleachers, and the away bleachers are even less filled (although the visiting team I saw is currently in the midst of a 17-game losing streak). While the fans are friendly and energetic, the sight of a practically empty stadium is certainly alarming.
While the view of Commencement Bay is certainly captivating, it does bring a wind chill that can cause a sweet memory to turn sour.
Neighborhood 2
This little section of Tacoma is neatly separated from the rest of the bigger city, giving it a unique small-town feel. While it may look grimy, the neighborhood is safer than it looks. Arguably the best restaurant in town is Shake Shake Shake, a burger establishment that sells Tiger-themed milkshakes and sundaes just down the road from Stadium High School. But don’t expect it to be open after the game.
Sports fans may be able to visit a late-season MiLB Tacoma Rainiers game when in town to watch the Stadium Tigers football team.
Fans 2
The student section, although small, is energetic and very much into the game from start to finish. The Tigers have a passionate fan base that feels like a true small community.
Meanwhile, the friends, family, and general fan base take advantage of their spacious surroundings. All through the game, you will see large swaths of empty concrete between the guests. While this does make things much easier to find your preferred seat, it also speaks volumes about their game day atmosphere.
Access 2
If you have limited mobility, then this is NOT the stadium for you. While you can watch all of the action from the very top of the hill, it’s hard to feel the vibrancy of high school football from there. Concrete steps are everywhere in seemingly endless lines up the steep hill.
Most of the steps are in good condition, but there are numerous steps, particularly on the visitor’s side, that are not. Notably, there’s a long line of steps on the visitor’s side showing advanced signs of aging, with massive chunks missing from the concrete. You can even see the scars from where the school attempted to reattach the crumbling concrete. It’s certainly an alarming sight.
Also, you can switch sides with a long, narrow concrete path at the base of the gulch. Still, it’s a bit of a trek with all of those steps.
Meanwhile, the parking situation is pretty good. While there is a parking garage right next to the stadium at the top of the hill, parking in the local neighborhood is not of the question either. The neighborhood is safe enough, and there are usually ample parking spaces near the campus.
Despite numerous renovations, the bathrooms look as old as the stadium itself. The stalls are made of steel that looks like it belongs on a battleship. Still, despite the age, the essentials are up to date, with the toilets, sinks, and paper towel dispenser all up to our current standards.
Return on Investment 3
Yes, the ancient stadium has its issues. The steps are numerous and can be a bit much. The bathrooms are cramped and ugly. The food is sparse, and the wind is chilly as the night goes on.
Still, the $7 ticket is well spent. History buffs should swoon over this marvel. The entire building is built like a castle, even the ticket booth. Walking along the upper concourse on either side of the stadium, you can see bulbless lamp posts, relics of the past before floodlights became the norm. The stadium was built for much larger crowds, so you should have no problem finding your preferred seat.
Extras 2
At times, it’s as if the stadium is one with nature. There is a small yet blooming tree next to a certain section of the home bleachers that blocks much of the ten yards to that end zone. As a spectator who loves watching the action as close as possible, it is difficult to appreciate the game when the two teams are playing so close to that section.
During the game of my visit, when it was almost halftime, a deer was seen grazing on the hill between the home and away bleachers. After roughly 10 minutes, it scampered right into the middle of a play under the shrieks of a surprised crowd. While this is probably not common, this part of Tacoma is in an area that is populated by wildlife. The fact that nature could show its face in this manner gives this ancient stadium a unique flavor.
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